Written Answers Nos. 1232-1268
1232. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total number of new appointments made in his Department and those under his remit since March 2011 to date in 2014, with a breakdown of the grade to which they were appointed during the period. [35122/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
New appointments in the Department during the period March - December 2011
|
Number of staff |
Grade |
|
17 |
Ministerial Appointee |
|
1 |
Professional Accountant |
|
6 |
Clerical Officer |
|
TOTAL 24 |
New appointments in the Department during 2012
|
Number of staff |
Grade |
|
2 |
Principal Officer |
|
2 |
Ministerial Appointee |
|
2 |
Assistant Principal |
|
1 |
Accountant |
|
TOTAL 7 |
New appointments in the Department during 2013
|
Number of staff |
Grade |
|
1 |
Assistant Legal Advisor |
|
4 |
Ministerial Appointee |
|
3 |
Development Specialist |
|
2 |
Assistant Principal |
|
1 |
Accountant |
|
1 |
Third Secretary |
|
1 |
Staff Officer |
|
2 |
Clerical Officer |
|
1 |
Higher Executive Officer |
|
TOTAL 16 |
New appointments in the Department in 2014 to date
|
Number of staff |
Grade |
|
21 |
Ministerial Appointee |
|
2 |
Second Secretary General |
|
1 |
Chief Finance Officer |
|
2 |
Development Specialist |
|
26 |
Third Secretary |
|
1 |
Administrative Officer |
|
TOTAL 53 |
The table does not include Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) who are engaged annually on fixed- term contracts primarily to assist the Passport Service during the annual peak passport demand period or temporary staff recruited for the lead up to and the duration of Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union in 2013.
Also not included are a number of Interns who are also recruited on fixed-term contracts to assist mainly in the sections dealing with Human Rights, Legal, Middle East, Disarmament and Irish Aid issues.
1233. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding efforts to ensure that the staff of a centre (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their ex gratia redundancy payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32966/14]
View answerCommunity Training Centres (CTCs) are funded through SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards. They are managed and operated by independent local Boards of Management. The staff are employed by these groups and my Department does not have a direct role in staffing and employment issues relating to these bodies. I understand from the Cork Education and Training Board that the decision to close the Community Training Centre referred to by the Deputy was taken by the CTC Board of Management and that statutory redundancy was paid to the former employees. Guidance had been sought by SOLAS on the payment of enhanced redundancy to employees of CTCs and approval has now been given by my Department to SOLAS to fund enhanced redundancy payments to persons who meet the criteria set out in existing agreements.
1234. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to the former staff of a centre (details supplied) in County Cork if she will provide the retraining and redeployment options available to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32967/14]
View answerCommunity Training Centres (CTCs) are funded through the Education and Training Boards. They are managed and operated by independent local Boards of Management and each CTC is a separate legal entity. The staff are employed by these groups and as such do not have an entitlement to redeployment. My Department does not have a direct role in staffing and employment issues relating to these bodies.
1235. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to any provisions or measures available as an alternative for persons over 60 years of age and who are not IT efficient-competent, in view of an increasing emphasis on online payments, such as school transport charges (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32978/14]
View answerBus Éireann's School Transport online Application and Ticket Payment system affords persons of all ages greater convenience and transparency in school transport related interactions than ever before. The new system enables families to manage all aspects of their applications for school transport, including registration, amendments and payments, using contemporary online features. While encouraging the use of online facilities the postal service still remains available as an alternative to families who choose not to avail of the online service. Contact details for local Bus Éireann offices are available in the phone book as well as online, where assistance can be obtained in relation to ticket payments or other school transport enquiries. The individual referred to by the Deputy can contact his local Bus Éireann office in Stranorlar at 074 9131008.
1236. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a school bus pass in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [33257/14]
View answerThe provision of school transport for the individual referred to by the Deputy is being examined by my Department. Any changes which result from this examination will be notified to the Deputy.
1237. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will extend eligibility for the child care employment and training support scheme to include access courses and third level college courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33928/14]
View answerChildcare assistance was introduced in the late 1990s as a way of providing assistance to people with less than upper second level education who faced barriers in returning to education and were distant from the labour market. The Budget 2010 decision to rationalise childcare support schemes, saw the establishment of the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) scheme, which is administered by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The criteria set by my Department for the CETS scheme provides for supports for the childcare needs of participants in VTOS, Youthreach, BTEI and some SOLAS training programmes. It is not intended to extend the eligibility criteria for this scheme beyond the current programmes.
1238. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the bus service was cut for students at St. Michael's House in Raheny, Dublin 5; if he will support adequate funding for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33929/14]
View answerThe purpose of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability. Children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs under Department of Education and Skills' criteria.
My Department is not aware of any cuts in bus services under the School Transport Scheme. Furthermore, Bus Éireann which operates the scheme on behalf of my Department has advised that a number of additional children have been facilitated with school transport since 1 September 2014.
1239. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options available to a secondary school pupil who has been expelled from one post-primary school and now wishes to return to school and complete their education. [34234/14]
View answerThe selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act, 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected. Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of an Educational Training Board (ETB) school to the ETB in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld. Application forms for taking a section 29 appeal are available on my Departments website at the following link http://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Appeal-against-Permanent-Exclusion-Suspension-or-Refusal-to-Enrol/Section-29-Appeals-Application-Form.doc, or by contacting Section 29 Administration Unit, Friars Mill Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, phone 0761 108584. The Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency (EWS) is the statutory agency which may be able to assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The EWS may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the EWS is Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7, phone number 01-8738700.
1240. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will update the guidelines concerning school transport runs to allow discretion where changes to routes can be made where there would not be significant additional expenditure and where the changed routes would be more convenient for the travelling students-parents and would have safer collection points; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34280/14]
View answerThe safety of children travelling on school transport services is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes and endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service while at the same time, ensuring that vehicles are fully utilised in the most efficient and cost effective manner. Existing services are reviewed annually and arising from this review, routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of eligible children. Parents should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding specific queries they may have on the routing and timetabling of school transport services operating in their area.
1241. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views in relation to school transport (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34711/14]
View answerBus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme, on behalf of my Department has advised that the child in question was incorrectly categorised as ineligible for school transport under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme. This error has been rectified and Bus Éireann is now making arrangements for this child to avail of free school transport.
1242. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprentices for each trade currently registered with SOLAS, including information on the stage they are currently at; their employment status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34747/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is held by SOLAS and I have asked them to contact the Deputy directly with this information.
1243. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 1 July 2014, the position regarding school transport in respect of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32984/14]
View answerChildren are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. In certain areas, families who choose to send their children to schools other than their nearest diminish the chance of a service being established to their nearest school. Families of eligible pupils, for whom there is no school transport service available, are eligible for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. The position remains the same as outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 1 July 2014, since this child is not attending his nearest school, he is therefore not eligible under the school transport scheme. I understand this child is currently availing of transport on a concessionary basis.
1244. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of mounting college open days for undergraduate students, by institution and year for each university and institute of technology since 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33014/14]
View answer1245. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of attendance at commercially organised undergraduate focused fairs, by institution and year, for each university and institute of technology since 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33015/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1244 and 1245 together.
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. Officials of my Department have asked the Higher Education Authority to seek the information requested from the institutions and it will be forwarded to you as soon as possible.
1246. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the impact the increase in pupil teacher ratio numbers of private or fee paying schools, both financially and in terms of increase in attendance, has had on the public system, in view of the fact that 255 places have been lost in the fee paying sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33057/14]
View answerThe Government's focus in recent years has been on operating a budgetary programme that is designed to return the Government finances to a sustainable basis. One aspect of the budgetary decisions was to increase the pupil teacher ratio for fee-charging schools. Fee-charging schools have the resources, through fees charged, to employ teachers privately, an option which is not available to schools in the free education scheme. The number of pupils attending schools in the fee-charging sector can vary from year to year. It is not easy to determine how much of this annual change is due solely to the impact of the budget measures. While the number of schools in the fee-charging sector has reduced slightly, the number of pupils enrolled in the remaining 52 schools has increased slightly from 24,561 pupils in the 2012/13 school year to 24,695 pupils in the 2013/14 school year.
1247. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the Educational Training Board Centre at Loreto Fermoy, County Cork is closing on a permanent basis; the alternative educational opportunities that will be offered to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33081/14]
View answerThis is an operational matter for the Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) and I have asked CETB to contact the Deputy directly to clarify the position. However, I understand from CETB that they have relocated adult education services from this centre to another location in Fermoy and the level of service provided will not be affected by the move.
1248. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a pension issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33086/14]
View answerThe correspondence to which the Deputy refers relates to a process in respect of pension benefits. Officials in my Department and in the relevant body have addressed the matter in accordance with the terms of the pension scheme and relevant circulars and the person to whom the Deputy referred has been informed of the outcome of the internal disputes resolution procedure. The person to whom the Deputy referred was also provided with all relevant information in respect of the Pensions Ombudsman.
1249. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made following the Haddington Road agreement in establishing a teaching panel for secondary school teachers as per the model adopted for the primary sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33093/14]
View answerAn Expert Group was established under the Haddington Road Agreement to consider and report on the level of fixed-term and part-time employment in teaching, having regard to the importance for teachers of employment stability and security and taking account of system and school needs and Teaching Council registration requirements. The Chairman of the Expert Group presented the Group's report to me today and the report is now available on my Department's website. I look forward to putting arrangements in place to implement the report with effect from September 2015, following engagement with the education partners. The establishment of the panel to which the Deputy is referring will be considered in the context of the implementation of the measures outlined in the Group's report.
1250. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will immediately reverse the decision to impose a student service charge on all apprentices while attending institutes of technology for their periods of off-the-job training on phases 4 and 6; her views on whether these charges are fair in view of the fact that the apprentices are full time employees, not students, and do not receive any services or benefit from this charge; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that apprentices are amongst the lowest paid workers in the State and this charge is crippling for them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33106/14]
View answer1252. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reconsider the appropriateness of applying student services charges to apprentices when the services are neither available to nor suitable for those undertaking apprenticeships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33154/14]
View answer1257. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will end the student service charge for apprentices which in fact is a tax on training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33246/14]
View answer1270. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the student service charge (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33412/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1250, 1252, 1257 and 1270 together.
The Annual Student Contribution is levied on students attending Institutes of Technology (IoTs). The amount due by apprentices is calculated on a pro rata basis of the time which they spend in Institutes of Technology during the academic year. Since 2004, FÁS/SOLAS has paid a part of the Annual Student Contribution due in respect of apprentices, with apprentices themselves paying the part of the contribution relating to examination fees. As part of Budget 2014, SOLAS have ceased making payments to Institutes of Technology and apprentices pay the full pro rata Annual Student Contribution. From January 2014 up to the end of the academic year in June, apprentices paid €833 (1/3 of €2,500) per typical attendance block although a small number of apprentices paid more for longer blocks. These arrangements mean that apprentices are treated the same as students in IoTs in terms of the annual student contribution. Apprentices had already been paying €233 (28% of €833) in respect of the exam fee element of the ASC. However, unlike full time students, apprentices are paid a training allowance by SOLAS for phases of their training spent in IoTs. This allowance ranges from €293 to €647 per week depending on the trade and phase of the apprenticeship programme. This is the equivalent to their net take-home pay on the job, and is not subject to tax or PRSI. Such allowances are not available to students in the IoTs. The Budget 2014 decision was taken in the context of the difficult economic circumstances the country is in and the overall savings that my Department had to find in 2014. There is no scope to revisit the measure. I am deeply committed to supporting apprenticeship training in Ireland, both through the renewal of existing apprenticeships and the extension of the apprenticeship model to new areas. I will be focused on delivering in accordance with the Implementation Plan recently published to take forward the recommendations of the recent independent review of apprenticeship training in Ireland.
1251. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the educational needs of a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33121/14]
View answerMy Department provides for a range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with special educational needs will be able to attend a local mainstream school, whereas for pupils who have needs which require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements are provided for. The enrolment of a child to a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools. The Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. They will try to help parents to find a school placement if their child has been unable to secure a school placement to date. The Educational Welfare Services, Child and Family Agency, can be contacted at 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700. In addition, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) can assist parents to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs. Parents may contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs and to seek assistance in identifying placement options, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. The NCSE also recently published a Guide for Parents and Guardians of Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs on Choosing a School. This guide is also available at www.ncse.ie. I have arranged to have your correspondence forwarded to the NCSE for their attention.
1253. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of staff who retired, left or otherwise departed from their employment from 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2013, and the expected annual savings arising therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2014, and the annual expected savings therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2015, and the annual savings therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2016, and the annual savings therefrom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33202/14]
View answer1254. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new staff employed since 1 July 2013 up to 31 December 2013 and the expected annual costs arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2014 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2015 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2016 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33219/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1253 and 1254 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables. The details relating to staff 'expected' to leave or be employed at a future date relate to compulsory retirements and any planned recruitment respectively which we are aware of. As the Deputy will know, resignations, voluntary retirements etc. occur on an ongoing basis across all Departments and I would expect that the decision to extend the "Grace period"* under the Haddington Road Agreement to the end of June 2015 may well lead to voluntary retirements in my Department before that date. It is however not possible to estimate these. It should be noted that vacancies occurring in the Department as a result of retirements/resignations/transfers etc. are considered on a case-by-case basis in terms of whether they are filled in order to maintain essential service delivery so any savings in terms of salary costs are cancelled out if a staff member is replaced. In addition, any savings occurring as a result of salaries no longer being paid to staff who have retired from the Department is somewhat mitigated by the pensions paid to them on retirement by the Exchequer.
* The "Grace period" for pension purposes is a period during which both the reduction in pay for those earning over €65,000 and any deferral of increment progression will be disregarded.
New Staff Employed and expected annual costs:
|
- |
Number |
Expected Annual Salary Costs |
|
July 2013- December 2013 |
9 |
€637,459 |
|
2014 |
21 |
€1,145,196 |
Departures and expected annual savings
|
- |
Number |
Associated Annual Salaries |
|
July 2013- December 2013 |
20 |
€1,092,883 |
|
2014 |
43 (Expected) |
€2,754,572 |
|
2015 |
9 |
€421,160 |
|
2016 |
10 |
€554,712 |
1255. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new staff employed in primary, secondary and third level education since 1 July 2013 up to 31 December 2013 and the expected annual costs arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2014 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2015 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2016 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33229/14]
View answerThe table sets out the position in relation to staffing in 2013 and 2014. Additional staffing numbers in 2015 and 2016 will be the subject of annual budgetary discussions taking account of demographic factors. In relation to annual costs, the average annual gross salary for a new teacher, inclusive of factors such as Employers PRSI, is circa. €45,000 at primary level and €47,000 at post-primary level. The equivalent figure for an SNA is €34,000 at primary level and €32,000 at post-primary level. Due to reduced numbers at third level, as a result of the operation of the Employment Control Framework (ECF), there are no additional costs involved in 2013 and 2014.
|
- |
1/7/13 |
31/12/13 |
Increase |
31/12/14 |
Increase |
|
First-Level |
41,091 |
41,761 |
670 |
43,033 |
1,272 |
|
of which - Teachers |
32,276 |
32,930 |
654 |
33,916 |
986 |
|
- SNAs |
8,460 |
8,482 |
22 |
8,770 |
288 |
|
Second-level |
32,059 |
32,380 |
321 |
32,932 |
552 |
|
of which - Teachers |
27,525 |
27,763 |
238 |
28,298 |
535 |
|
- SNAs |
2,051 |
2,103 |
52 |
2,195 |
92 |
|
Third-level |
17,653 |
17,449 |
-204 |
17,408 |
-41 |
1256. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of staff who retired, left or otherwise departed from primary, secondary and third level education from 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2013 and the expected annual savings arising therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2014 and the annual expected saving therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2015 and the annual savings therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2016 and the annual savings therefrom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33230/14]
View answerMy Department has compiled detailed information on teacher retirements in respect of Primary, Secondary and Community and Comprehensive Schools for the years 2012 and 2013. The detailed information with effect from 2012 is available in tabular form on my Department's website at the link http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Statistical-Reports/Other-Statistical-Reports.html. Detailed information in respect of 2014 will be compiled in early 2015 and will be posted on my Department's website. In relation to the issue of savings, teaching vacancies that arise in schools due to retirements or otherwise are one of the few areas of the public service that are exempted from the Government's moratorium on recruitment. In addition, and notwithstanding the Government's budgetary pressures, teacher numbers are increasing due to the on-going and significant increases in demographics at primary and post-primary level. In this regard, there are a thousand more teachers employed in primary and post-primary schools around the country over the last year. As the Deputy will be aware staff employed in the higher education sector area may be Exchequer funded posts, self-funded posts or research posts which can be funded by various organisations. The number of core Exchequer funded posts in the Higher Education Authority (HEA) funded sector reduced by some 205 full-time equivalents from the end of June to end of December 2013. Details of reductions in 2014 will be available when final returns are submitted after year end. The position is that an Employment Control Framework (ECF) is in place for the higher education sector which provides institutions with considerable flexibility to fill vacancies, through recruitment or promotions on the basis of meeting an overall ceiling of posts. My Department allocates recurrent funding to the HEA for direct disbursement to the Institutions, the internal allocation of which is a matter for individual institutions as autonomous bodies. The recurrent funding allocated to the Higher Education Authority Institutions has reduced significantly in recent years from €1.118 billion in 2012 to €1.012 billion in 2013 and to some €939 million this year.
1258. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her position on the report completed by the National Disability Authority into the practice of the assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005 which was submitted by the NDA for consideration by her Department. [33271/14]
View answerThe report to which the Deputy refers was submitted to my Department in 2012. The main findings of this report relating to the assessment of children with special needs were under consideration by my Department, Department of Health and the Health Service Executive at that time. As a consequence of this consideration, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) were requested to provide policy advice on how the education system can best support children with special educational needs. The NCSE published its Policy Advice on Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs on 17 May, 2013. This is a very significant report which is based on a review of best practice in both national and international research and follows a wide process of consultation with children with Special Educational Needs, parents, representative groups, educational partners, voluntary bodies and advocacy groups, including the National Disability Authority. The main recommendations contained in the NCSE policy advice concur with the NDA report. The NCSE report concludes that diagnosis should not be a prerequisite or determinant for the allocation of additional resources for a child or young person with special educational needs which should instead be based on the needs of the child, irrespective of category of disability. Instead, greater use should be made of school - based data and school performance in decision-making related to resource allocation. One of the principal recommendations of the policy advice is that a new model should be developed for the allocation of additional teaching resources to mainstream schools, based on the profiled need of each school, which will ensure that a more equitable resource allocation system will be in place for students, which will be based on their educational needs as opposed to being based primarily on a diagnosis of disability. The NCSE published its Report on a Proposed New Model for Allocating Teachers for Students with Special Educational Needs on 18 June 2014. The report recommends that all children should be allocated additional resources in line with their level of need, rather than by disability category and a new allocation model should be developed, based on a schools educational profile, while also providing a baseline allocation to every mainstream school in order to support inclusion. To assist with the process of considering the report recommendations, my Department has begun to gather information required to develop the proposed new model. This will review how the proposed model will impact on schools. There will also be full and comprehensive consultation with stakeholders and education partners, including the parents of special needs children.
1259. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to change the means test for the higher education grant to take into account outgoings such as mortgages and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33330/14]
View answerStudent grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period. The assessment of income from the same starting point is deemed to be fair and reasonable because this approach eliminates any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions in different households. In the interest of equity, I have no plans to change this arrangement.
1260. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason her Department reneged on a decision to provide school transport to students from the Balbriggan, Balrothery, Laytown and Bettystown areas who are enrolled to attend a college (details supplied) this September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33356/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. The school transport scheme as it has operated at second level has a very restrictive approach to providing transport to other than the nearest school on the grounds of ethos. To provide transport in the circumstances set out by the Deputy would represent a significant change to the operation of the scheme with potentially wide ranging cost and other implications. Given this fact, I have asked officials to consider this matter in its wider context and to revert to me in due course with their analysis. That said, the present position remains that I am unable to accede to the request for eligibility for transport provision in this case.
1261. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding funding for transportation for a person with a disability in order to attend a training course (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33359/14]
View answerA person's Social Welfare entitlement is determined by Department of Social Protection. SOLAS Training Allowances are aligned to the persons Social Welfare entitlements. This amount is paid for the duration of the course. In addition, a weekly travel allowance based on distance travelled to the course is paid to trainees where appropriate. These are maximum rates payable to Trainees and are subject to terms and conditions. The travel allowances go towards enabling each participant to continue with their course. SOLAS has made further enquiries with the relevant ETB which has advised that, in the context of the current economic climate and the resources available, unfortunately it is not possible to top up the travel rate beyond that already approved for the individual in question.
1262. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether a person (details supplied) is suitable to head a statutory board to assist the victims of church religious orders. [33369/14]
View answerThe Chief Executive Officer of Caranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board was selected following an open recruitment competition conducted by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). In accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 my predecessor designated the person selected by PAS to be the first Chief Executive of the Board. At its first meeting held on 27 March 2013, the person so designated was appointed by the Board to be its first Chief Executive. I understand that the Chief Executive has extensive experience in the delivery, design and management of services for groups who are socially disadvantaged and immediately prior to her current appointment was an independent management and social policy consultant with public, voluntary and philanthropic bodies. I am not aware that any work she may have carried out in any of those capacities would give rise to a conflict of interest or impact on her ability to perform the functions associated with the position of Chief Executive of Caranua.
1263. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the situation with a school (details supplied) in County Cork which was granted funding for a new school in 2011; if her Department has had contact with the parents' action group; if the site has been selected and the location of same; the sites under consideration and their locations; the date on which the site selection process will end; the timeline for the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33370/14]
View answerThe proposed new building for the school to which the Deputy refers is a major school building project which was included in the Five Year School Building Programme announced by the Department in March 2012, with the new school building to proceed to construction in 2015/16.
Officials from my Department have been in contact with the school's Board of Management to confirm that approval has been given to facilitate the disposal of lands at Duntahane, Fermoy to my Department to provide a site for the school. The next step is the satisfactory completion of the conveyancing process. Officials from my Department will be in contact with the school's Board of Management to keep them informed of progress in this regard.
1264. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the disproportionate reductions in special needs assistant posts in County Sligo; if she has any concern that these positions are being replaced by JobBridge internships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33371/14]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014. The NCSE have allocated over 10,900 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts in schools to support students with special needs for the 2014/2015 school year. This is more SNA posts than have ever previously been allocated, and has increased from 10,656 posts at the end of the last school year. The exact numbers of SNAs will become clear when enrolments of students in mainstream schools are finalised later this month. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised. It is important to note that each school's allocation of SNA support can change from year to year and may be increased or decreased as students who qualify for SNA support enrol or leave a school. New students with care needs may, or may not, enrol to replace students who have left, for example, or SNA allocations may be decreased where a child's care needs have diminished over time. There is always a significant churn of posts within the system. Details of schools and their SNA allocations, including in Co. Sligo, are available on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie. JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, operated by the Department of Social Protection provide work experience placements for interns for a six to nine month period. This scheme aims to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market or as unemployed workers wishing to learn new skills. Recognised schools and Education Training Boards (ETBs) may choose to participate in the scheme if they wish. My Department's circular 46/2011 states that an internship must not cause an existing member of staff to be displaced from the school or be used to fill a current vacancy in the school. In addition, the Department of Social Protection have stringent monitoring in place at local level and investigate any complaint or alleged breach of the scheme. Schools and ETBs, participating in the scheme, must submit an online monthly compliance check to verify that the terms of the internship are being met.
1265. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she has had any discussions with the Department for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation regarding the inclusion of education in the proposed transatlantic trade and investment partnership; if she has concerns regarding the negative impact that inclusion of education within this sphere would have on educational institutions here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33372/14]
View answerThe negotiations with the United States on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) are the most ambitious and broad based that the EU has ever undertaken. The breadth of the negotiations reflects the extensive benefits that could be won from any final agreement. However, when the EU Council agreed the negotiating directives to the Commission for these talks under last year's Irish presidency of the EU, it was unanimously agreed by all Ministers, and accepted by the Commission, that any agreement with the United States would not herald any lowering of standards that our citizens rightly value. This is an important consideration in how the EU conducts its negotiations. The Commission is required to frequently consult with Member States during the course of the talks. The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, which co-ordinates this issue from a national perspective, uses these opportunities to tell EU negotiators about what we want to achieve from the talks. In this context, that Department is co-ordinating with all Government Departments, including my Department, in the ongoing development of Ireland's trade policy position, to ensure that our best interests can be advocated to the EU Commission and included in the negotiations with the United States. In relation to education, there is no proposal from the EU to further open up education services in the TTIP. Under Free Trade Agreements negotiated so far by the EU, member states are free to organise their educational policies, structures and standards as best suits their circumstances. This is especially important for Ireland as the high standard of our education is an essential and indispensable aspect of giving our students lifelong skills for successful careers in an innovation driven world.
1266. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for a school bus service (details supplied) in County Cork will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33374/14]
View answerI am pleased to advise that a new service commenced for pupils residing in the areas outlined by the Deputy on 26 August 2014 in accordance with the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme.
1267. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of retired teachers employed as substitute teachers in primary schools during the school years 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. [33379/14]
View answerTeachers are employed by the managerial authorities of schools. The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. The comparative information currently available relates to March 2014 compared to March 2013. In March a total of 282 retired teachers were employed by the managerial authorities of schools. One hundred and forty nine retired primary teachers and one hundred and thirty three retired voluntary secondary and community and comprehensive teachers were employed. However, seventy per cent of those teachers worked 5 days or less. By comparison in March 2013 a total of 362 retired teachers were employed by the managerial authorities. Two hundred and eight retired primary teachers and one hundred and fifty four retired voluntary secondary and community and comprehensive teachers were employed. In that period eighty five per cent worked five days or less. The policy of my Department is to ensure, as far as possible, that the managerial authorities of schools give priority to unemployed registered teachers who are fully qualified when filling vacant teaching posts. My Department has issued a number of circulars addressing this issue in recent years. Under the terms of these circulars school Principals must maintain a list of unemployed registered teachers who are available for substitute work at short notice and report to the Board of Management on any exceptional occasion where they have to engage a registered teacher who is retired. A retired teacher who returns to teaching on or after 1 February 2012 commences at the first point of the incremental salary scale. Incremental credit for service prior to 1 February 2012, qualification allowances and certain job role allowances are also not payable. These measures represents a significant financial disincentive for teachers who retired at the top of their salary scale, often with a post of responsibility allowance, to return to teaching.
1268. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will make a decision, following consultation with patrons, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers, on decisions by a board or a person acting on behalf of the board which may be appealed in accordance with section 29 of the Education Act 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33406/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government gave approval in March of this year for drafting the Education (Admissions to Schools) Bill 2014 and the General Scheme has since been referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government for drafting. The aim in bringing forward legislative proposals in relation to school admission is to improve the admissions process and to ensure that the way schools decide on applications is structured, fair and transparent. A key objective in designing the framework is to create greater confidence for parents that the admission criteria laid down by schools are legitimate, reasonable and fair. The Deputy may also be interested to know that my Department is considering the development of a Parent and Student Charter. The purpose of the Charter is to strengthen the position of parents within the school system and foster a culture of improved engagement and communication by schools with parents and students. Changing how schools engage with, listen and respond to parent concerns will be an important part of a Charter. Providing parents with the rationale for any decision is important. If schools help parents to understand the basis for a decision, parents are more likely to accept the fairness of the decisions.
